No one ever expects to be injured in a collision with a bus. Crashes involving school buses and public transit vehicles can be particularly complex, as there are often multiple parties that share culpability for the injuries victims sustain. If you were severely injured in a bus accident, you may have the right to financial compensation.
Make sure you have a dedicated legal advocate on your side who will identify all parties that contributed to your injuries so you can maximize your financial compensation. Get in touch with a reputable Downey bus accident lawyer at Simmrin Law Group to schedule a free consultation and start working on your insurance and personal injury claims as soon as today.
When to Call a Bus Accident Lawyer in Downey, CA for Help
In the aftermath of your bus or car accident, you may be unsure what to do next. Although you may be interested in holding the liable party accountable, you may want to be sure that you have grounds for a personal injury claim first. With that in mind, here are the top ways you can tell you should contact a bus accident attorney in Downey, CA for help
You Suspect Someone Else Caused Your Bus Accident or Injuries
Your personal injury claim can only be successful if we can demonstrate that someone else is responsible for causing your injuries. Many bus accidents are caused by negligent or irresponsible bus drivers. However, they are not the only party that can share culpability.
Other parties that may be at fault for your bus accident injuries include:
- The bus company
- The owner of the bus
- The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
- The Downey LINK public transportation system
- Bus maintenance workers or safety inspectors
- Dram shop and social hosts
- Other third parties
You Are Having Trouble Coping with the Impact of Your Bus Accident Injuries
It is not enough to show that someone else is responsible for causing your accident. Your bus accident attorney must also show that your injuries have had a significant impact on your life. Many of us accident victims are discouraged, believing they must have suffered life-threatening injuries to have grounds for a personal injury claim.
However, this is not the case. As long as your personal injury lawyer can show that your injuries have substantially affected your ability to live your life normally and complete daily living tasks or resulting in substantial financial losses, you may be entitled to full reimbursement of your damages.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving Downey, call (310) 896-2723
How to Prove Negligence in a Downey Bus Accident
To prove negligence in your bus accident claim, your attorney will need to take steps to investigate the cause of your bus accident and gather valuable supporting evidence. Some examples of the evidence that is most suitable for bus accident insurance include:
- Video footage of the accident
- Footage from within the bus
- Statements from bus passengers and witnesses
- Copies of the bus driver’s blood alcohol test results and driving record
- Copies of the bus driver’s cell phone records
- Copies of the bus safety inspection logs
- Copies of bus maintenance records
- Copies of complaints made regarding the safety of the bus or the bus driver
- Photos of your injuries
- A personal journal detailing the various ways your injuries have affected your ability to live your life normally
- Statements from friends and family members that describe the impact of your injuries on your life and your ability to maintain relationships with these close friends and family members
Our primary goal will be to show the elements of negligence are met. This means we must meet the burden of proof, which is based on a preponderance of the evidence in civil court. Here, your Downey bus accident attorney will show the defendant owed you a duty of care and somehow breached that duty of care, ultimately causing you to suffer severe physical injuries, financial losses, or emotional distress.
Downey Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
Compensating Bus Accident Victims in Downey
After being involved in a severe bus accident in Downey, you may have the right to reimbursement of your damages in full. Whether you are filing a claim with the insurance company or bringing your bus accident case to trial, you have the right to a total reimbursement of your economic and non-economic damages.
Also commonly referred to as special damages or general damages, you might be surprised to learn you have the right to reimbursement for a combination of monetary and non-monetary losses. Some examples of potentially recoverable damages in Downey could include:
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of income, future earnings, and employee benefits
- Disfiguring injuries
- Permanent disability
- Skin scarring
- Inconvenience
- Damage to your reputation
- Medical bills
- Future healthcare costs
- Pain and suffering damages
- Anticipation and fear
- Apprehension and anticipation
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Personal property damages
- Vehicle repair costs or replacement fees
You can learn more about how much compensation your Downey bus accident case is worth when you go over your specific damages in detail with your personal injury attorney at Simmrin Law Group.
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You Bus Accident Lawsuit Must Be Filed Before the Deadline
Make sure your bus accident lawsuit and insurance claims are filed before their deadline. According to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, you will have two years from the date of the accident to file your lawsuit. Unless you file your claim before the deadline, you will lose your right to have your case heard at trial.
Additionally, you may have an even shorter amount of time to file your claim with the insurance company. It is not unusual for insurance companies to require claimants to file claims within 30 days of the accident. Unfortunately, if you do not file your claim before time runs out, the insurance company may have the authority to deny you the settlement you would have been entitled to otherwise.
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Connect with a Bus Accident Attorney in Downey, CA Today
The trauma of your bus accident is likely to have a substantial impact on your life for years to come. Do not let those responsible for causing your injuries get away with it. Get a powerful legal advocate to help you fight for total financial compensation.
An experienced Downey bus accident lawyer at Simmrin Law Group can guide you through the claims process every strip of the way. When you are ready to take back control of your life, fill out our convenient contact form or call our office to get started as soon as today.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form